Form tie for concrete forms



July l2, 1927.

H. O. MGMILLAN FORM TIE FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed NOV. 19, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 By /s//S WOP/VE 5 1,635,428 July 12, 1927. H, o. MCMILLAN FORM TIE FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed Nov. 19, 1925 s sheets-sheet 2 H27 xjw zo /5,^-/ 20a: zu

f 29' l /V ly//f//f/ Z9 /M 9" l2 1 July 927 H. o. MCM|LLAN FORM TIE FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed Nov. 19, 1925 s sheets-sheet 3 Patented July 12, 1927. i i l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HOWARD 0. HOIILLAN, l' IINEAPOLIB, IINNEBOTA.

Ioni! ru'. :son ooucmnromn.

Application led Ioveinber 19, 1925. Serial No. 70,018.

This invention relates to a tie or clamp well known metal panel type of form for device for concrete forms. Concrete is now concrete walls. largely used for building purposes and, and other objects and advantages of when walls or columns are made, a form is the rinvention will be fully set forth in the built comprising spaced 'wallsvbetween which following description made in connection 60 the concrete is poured. It is necessary that with the accom anying drawings in which these walls be firmly secured in position so like reference c aracters refer to the same that they will not spread under the weight parts throughout the different views, and in ofthe wet concrete and it is 'the common which, io practice to tie walls together with various Fig. 1 is a horizontal section through a, '65 kinds of ties. It is also desirable to have a portion of the concrete form showing the tie which can be adjusted so that the walls invention applied thereto; can be drawn up to proper position if there Fi 2 is a view of one of the members of is any tendency to spread. the evice, as seen from the right of Fig. l; ie It is an object of this invention to provide Fi 3 is a vertical section through a form 70 a simple and inexpensive form tie which can showing the invention applied thereto; conveniently be placed in pition and easily Fig. 4 is a vertical section through one and quickly placed and held under the deside of the form showing a modified form sired tension to hold the walls in proper po- 0f the device; at* sition. Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the 'I5 It is a further object of the invention to device shown in Fig. 4 and some of the forni provide such a tie having members to engage membrS; the longitudinal members which are gener- Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal section of a ally used extending along the exterior of the form Showing a Still further modified form wall and also comprising a strip received in 0f the device; so said first mentioned members, said stri and Fl 'fris a vertical section taken on the iirst mentioned members having a ta e-up line -7 of Fig. 6, as indicated by the ar means for ltensioning said strip so that the TOW; wallsare held in proper position, Fi 8 is an end view of the device shown It is also an object 0f the invention to proin Fig. 6, Figs. 7 and 8 being on an enlarged 85 vide a form.` tie com rising a flat strip of SC 9; metal having space elongated slots ar- F 1g. 9 is a persectivewiew of a form ranged Ilongitudinally therein, which strip made O f metal pane showing various form asses through and between the walls of the 0f the invention applied thereto; in erm and is received in members en aving Flg- 10 1S velftlcal section taken 0n the 90 the exterior of the form having spaced e on- 11116 10-10 0f Fig. 9, aB mdlcated by the gated slots extending transversely there- N WB; throu h, and wed e members adapted to ex- Fig. 11 is a vertical sectimlkll 011 the tendt rough saidatter slots and the slots in DDB 11--11 0f Flg- 9, S mdlolid by the said strip, the slots in said stri and member lllqWS; bein differently spaced so t at said strip v Flg. 12 is a v ertical section taken on the can drawn and placed under tension by line 12-12 of Fi 11; and Fig. 13 is a hori- Said wedges, zontal section ta en on the line 13--13 of It is a further object of the invention to Fi 9, as indicated by the arrows. as rovde a form tie, as set forth inthe precedeferring to the drawings, articularly to mg paragraph, in which wedges may also Figs. 1, 2 end 3, a portion o a form for a a' be used in` said strip at the inner side of the concrete wall 1s shown comprisin the side walls to fom spacing means. walls 15 which extend in paralle relation. f

It is still 'another object of the invention While these walls may be formed of wooden' i ce to provide a form tie comprising a slotted pr metal members, in the embodiment of the strip and member at the exterior ofthe form lllvelgltlOD Illustrated 1P F185 1 and 21 they having slots and wedges adapted to be in- 'are re resented as bein formed of su rserted therethrough and through the Slots orizontally exten ingboards. ese in said strip, which members may be atrds have vertical timbers 16 extending tached to and conveniently used with the therealong at their outer sides illustrates in in. the form and Figs. 1 to 3 as 2 x ts. In accordance with the present invention athin metal strip 17 is used having formed therein a series of elongated rectangular slots 17 disposed longltudinally of said strip. The strip 17 extends through and between the walls 15, either between the boards thereof or throu h openings in the boards and the ends of said strip are received in members 18 at the outer side of the board. The members 18 each have an arm 18EL formed as a right angle fitting around one corner of the timber 16 and also have bod portions 18b disposed at a right angle to t e arm 18c and extending along one side of the timber 16. The arm 18a is formed as a flange with a central outer rib and said flange has a hole 18 at one side thereof adapted to receive a nail 19 driven into the timber 16. The portion 18b has a passage extending therethrough shown as a narrow slot 18c in which is received the ends of the strip 17. The portions 18 also have elongated slots 18d extending vertically therethrough adapted to aline with the slots 17a in strip 17. The' slots 18 are spaced a greater distance apart than the slots 17 a and while the slots may be variously spaced, in the embodiment of the inventionillustrated, the slots 18 are spaced about three times the distance of the slots 17". W'edges 2O are provided of a width and thickness adapted to be received in the slots 18d, pass therethrough and through the slots 17 1* in strip 17. The wedges 20, preferably, are provided with holes 20 at their wide ends by means of which they can be strung on a wire for convenience in handling and transporting.- Similar Wedges 20 may also be driven into the slots 17 in contact with the inner surfaces of the' walls 15, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In operation, the strip 17 will he placed members 18 ap lied to the timber 16. A. wedge .will then e inserted in one of the slots 18d in members 18 and driven downwardly therein. The edge of l, the wedge will act on the end of slot 17,

engage and tend to move strip 17 lengthwise, thus tensioning said strip and pulling the members 18, as well as members 16, together. The walls of the form can thus be drawn up very tight. .1f the .wedge 2() used is driven suciently in to bring the ends of the slots 17 and 18d into alinement, the end of another slot 17 will be in alinement with the other rod 18d and another wedge can be started and driven into this slot. A successive, or step-by-step take-up means is thus rovided for the strip 17. The walls of the iiorm can thus be tightly clamped in position and can be drawn up to the proper position if they spread. The wedges 20, at the inner surface of the walls will be placed in position after the walls are tightly drawn up and will act as spacing means for the wall holding them in proper spaced relation.

After the concrete is set, the wedges will be removed and the members 18 will be moved from the strip 17. The ends of strip 17 can be bent down alon the outside of the wall or broken of cut olii, the strips 17 remaining in the wall. It will, of course, be necessary to tension the strip 17 only at one end. The member 18 may be made similar, however, so as to eliminate the necessity of different kinds of parts.

In Figs. 4 and 5, a form is shown having the walls 15 and timbers 16, together with additional slightly spaced bracing timbers 21 extending horizontally along the form at the outer side of timber 16. The timbers 21 are illustrated as the well known 2 x 4 timbers. The strip 17 is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, extending through and between the walls of the form and between the timbers 21, and a member 22 receives the end of strip 17. The member 22 is shown as having a circular flange 22 extending across the outer surface of timbers 21, which iange has a plurality of holes adapted to receive nails 24 driven into timbers 21. The member 22 has a central portion projecting at right angles to flange 22 having a passage 22h therethrough shown as a narrow slot which receives the end of the strip 17. The member 22 also has a pair of slots 22C extending transversely, adapted to receive the wedges 23, which wedges also engage in the slots in strip 17. The member 22 1s provided with lugs at one side in which small set screws 25 are threaded, the inner ends of which are adapted to engage the wedges 23 and hold the same in position. The Wedges 23 have square holes 23a in their wide ends adapted to lit over the heads of set screws 25 so that .the wedges can be used as wrenches for tightenin Y said screws 25.

n Win13 member 22 is in position that the strip can be tensioned and the form dra-wn up to tight position by the use of wedges, as explained above in connection with Figs. 1 to 3. `When the wedge is driven into place which holds thi` form in its final position, the set screw 25 can be ti htened and the device thus securely lockein proper position. The member 22 presses evenly on the timbers 21 and the strip 17 exerts a stress centrally on the member 22. It is more or less common practice to use the additional members 21, and the arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is very convenient in connection with such additional members.

1n Figs, 6, 7 and 8, a form is shoivn having the walls 15 and the vertical timbers 26 extending .at the side thereof.V These timbers may be either 2 x fls or 4 x Lls, two timbers of the 2 x l type being shown in Fig. 6.

The strips 17 already described are used. one of these strips extending through and between the walls 15 adjacent each side of e seen that when the strip 17 and which passes venting member member 27. The slots 29 `center through the timbers 26. The member 27 is provided having a dat surface adapted to engage the outer side of the timbers 26 comprising ilange 27a having one or more holes therethrough to receive the nails 28 driven into the timbers 26 and member 27 has a portion 27b extending at right angles at one end adapted to extend along one side of the timbers 26, which portion is formed with a passage shown as a` narrow slot 27 c which receives the end of strip 17. This portion 27c has a pair of transverse slots 27d extending therethrough and spaced diderently from the slots in'strlp 17 The other end of mem-' ber 27 has`a side slot or opening 27 through a member 29 having a head portion 29 at its outer side extending at each side ofthe opening 27e. The member 29 also has a passage therethrough shown as the narrow slot 29 which receives the end of the other strip 17, thisportion 29b also having a pair of slots 29 extending therethrough transversely of slot 29b and spaced diilerently from the lslots in strip v.17 The member 29 also has a small lug projecting at one in which a rivet 30 may be placed, pre- 29 from beingfmoved out and thus separated from and the transverse slots in portion 27b4 are adapted to receive the. wedges 20 which also pass through the slots in the strip 17. A member 31 is shown extending along the outer side of the timbers26 at the other side ofthe form, member has a flange with one or more openings therethrough adapted to receive nails 32 driven into the timbers 26. The member 31 has a narrowslot at each end into which the end of strip 17 projects and said member has a pair of holes 31a at each side of its which a nail 33 may be inone of the slots 17L side,

of opening 27 E sorted to pass through in strip 17.

In operation of the device shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the strip 17 will be.v positioned as shown and the nails` 33 dropped through slots therein in the member 31. The wedges 20 can then be successively driven into the I members 27 and 29 and the strip 17 ten- -sioned to bring the form up to tight position.

The strip 17 will pull evenly on the timbers 26. It will be noted that the member 29 can y be inserted through the same holes 31a.

be moved in the o ening 27 e so that the device could be use with one 2 x 4. or one of the members 26 as well as with two `of the members or with a 4 X 4. When the member 29 is adjusted for -a 2 x 4. the nails 33 lll e successive take-up movements of the wedges is clearly illustraed in Fig. 7

In Figs. 9 to 13 the invention is illustrated as'applied to a wall made 'up of the well known vcommercial metal sections. These sections areshown as 35 and are rectangular in shape and as having a reinforcing angle which 35'L at their outer sides, one portion of which pro }ects outwardly and the other ortion of which is disposed flat against the s eet metal member 35b forming the surface of the wall.

Said panelsalso are shown as having intermediate vertically extending reinforcing angle members 35. Such metal panels commercially have an an le bar 36 extending.A

longitudinally thereo at their outer sides. In Fig. 10 a member 37 is shown having an arm 37n shghtly spaced therefrom adapted to engage over the outwardly projectin web 37cextending therethrough transversely of a slot 37b adapted to receive the wedges 20 which also pass through the slot 17* in strip 17. With this structure it will be seen that the members 35 and 36 can be drawn up to tight position by the successive use of the wedges 20 in the slots 37 c and 117, as already described in connection with Figs. 1-to 2. The form can thus be tightly secured in vproper position and the same can be taken up at any time desired. The friction on the wedges 20 will be sufficient to-hold the same 1n proper position.

In Figs. 11 and 12 a member 40 is shown comprising spaced sides forming a slot 40* adapted to receivethe end of the strip 17 having therein theslot 17". The sides of member 40 are connected by a Web along one side, as shown in Fig. 9 so that said member is of channel shape in cross section. The

sides of this member are pierced by slots 40b extending transversely o the slot 40 which are adapted to receive the wedges 20 which A also 'pass through the slot 17, as shown 1 n Fig. 12. One side of member 40 has a lug projecting at right angles thereto which is riveted to oneof the angles 35 so thatthe device can be folded up longitudinally along side of the an le, as shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 11. ome standard metal sectional forms, like those illustrated, have clam ing members pivoted to the angles 35 an the member 40 could conveniently combine both -the clam ing member and the strip tensioning mem er. The ends of member 40 which embrace the adjacent projecting webs of the angles 35 sembled position. `The strip 17 in the showing in Figs. 11 and 12 pass throu 35t which is formedby offsetting t e vertical flange of the angle 35* a short distance.

' With-the structure. shown in Figs. 11 and 12 it will be seen that the strip 17 can be tensioned and the members 35 tightly drawn up to proper position.

act to vclamp these webs in iis-- h a slot vertical webs of the pair of adjacent an les 35a of' two of the sections 35.

lll

to form a slot 42. offset flange 42b i' provided With a pair -1 wall and the other 41 has a narrow passage 41a 'adapted to 'receive'the end of the strip 17 passing through aslot 35g formed between the angles 35- in the same manner described for the slot 35f. The member 41 also has a pair ofl slots 41h therethrough extending transversely to slot 41a, which slots 41b are adapted to receive the, wedge members 20 which also pass through the slots 17 in strip 17. With this structure it will be readily seen that the strip I 17 can be drawn tight and the form placed in proper position by the successive use of the wedges 20 in member. .41. In the showing in Figs.V 9 to 13 it will, of course beV understood that strips 17 may be equipped with similar devices on their other` ends (not shown) or maybe held in place merel by some member extending through one o the slots 17a and engaging the outcrvside of the form.

, In Fig. 9, the member 42 is also shown having parallel sides connected at the bottom The member 42 has an at its end extending under and-riveted to the horizontal web of the channel member 3G; The slot 42n to receive the end of the strip 17 having the slots 17l therein, the strips 17 in this case being inserted through holes 35h punched in the sheet metal 351. The member 42 is also of transverse slots 42e extending through both sides thereof transversely to' the slot 42a. The slots 42 are adapted to receive the wedges 20 which also pass through the slots 17a and strips 17. The strip 17 and the member 42 are tightened, as has been previously described, by successive; use of the wedges .20 in the slots 42". member 42 is permanently connected to angle 36. V

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided avery simple and eicient form tie. parts which are. simple and inexpensive. The strips usedwill, as stated, remain in the partsof t-he tie will be on different jobs, a new set of strips only being provided for 'each job. The device is adaptedto be used with either wooden or metal forms and can be made to be either separate from orconnected to parts of the latter. The invention has been amply demonstrated in actual practice the used over and over vand found to be very successful and elici'ent.

It will, of course, be understood, that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts Without departing from of applicants invent-ion, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrymg out the objects above set forth, in the The mem er` f said strip,

is adapted The h The tie comprises few' the scope e .extend through and between said walls and having elongated spaced slots therein, members adapted, respectively, to engage the outer sides of the form adapted to receive one of said members having slots extending transversely thereof, spaced a different distance apart than the slots in said strip, and Wedges adapted to pass through the slots in said last mentioned member and the slots in said strip and draw and hold the strip in tight position.

2. A tie for a form having Walls and a member extending longitudinally thereofl comprising a strip extending through and between said Walls and having spaced slots therethrough extending longitudinally there' of, means at the exterior of one wall for holding one end of said strip, a member engaging said first mentioned member for receiving said strip and having slots extend ing therethrough adapted to aline with and spaced a diti'erent distance apart than the slots in saidstrip, and wedges extending through the slots in said last mentioned member and strip and acting to draw and hold said strip under tension. 3. A tie for a form having Walls anda member' extending longitudinally thereof comprislng a strip adapted to extend through said walls and having spaced slots therethrough extending longitudinally thereof, a

member engaging said first mentioned member adapted to receive said stripy and having slots vextending, therethrough adapted `to aline with and spaced a different distance from the slots in said strip, said member aving an arm extending substantially at right angles to its slotted portion adapted to b e connected to said rst mentioned member, and wedges adapted to pass through said slots in said second mentioned member and strip to tension said strip and hold the same under tension.

4. A form tie having in combination, a strip with 'elongated spaced slots therein, a member adapted to engage the exterior of the form adapted to have one end of said strip pass therethrough and having slots extending transversely thereof, spaced a different distance apart than the-slots in said through the first mentioned member and having portions of, means at neaaaee 'disposed at each side thereof, each ofsaid through the slots in saidportions and strips` and draw said strips tight inthe orin, and means for holding the other ends of said strips.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, one of said portions being movable toward and from the other to accommodate different sizes of said first mentioned member.

7. A tie for a form 'having walls and a member extending longitudinally thereof comprising a strip between'said walls and having spaced slots therethrough extending longitudinally there* the Yexterior of one wall Jfor holding one end of said strip,- va member` engaging said'first mentioned member for receiving said strip and having slots extending therethrough adapted to aline with and l wedges can spaced a different distance apart than the slots in said strip, wedges extending through the slots in said last mentioned member and stri and acting to draw and hold said strip un er tension, canV be had between said last mentioned member and strip, and means for holding position. Y i

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, said last mentioned means comprising headed set screws threaded into said last mentioned member, said Wedges having holes therein fitting said set screw heads whereby said be used as .Wrenches for said tightening 9.- A form tie spaced walls comp-rising a strip adapted to extend through and between said Walls, means at the exterior. of one wall securing one end of said strip, said' strip having slots therethrough adjacent its other end. a meinber at the exterior of the other wall of said form through which said strip passes also vhaving s aced slots therethrough, wedges rough said member and strip for passing t said strip and form and holding extending through and I whereby a continuous take-up for a concrete form having.

having elongated spaced slots therein, a member at one sidev of the form holding one end of said strip, means at lthe other side of the form for tightening said strip and drawing the form to proper position and Wedges disposed in said slots in said strip lat the limer sides of the walls of said form for .spacing said walls.

ll. A tie for a concrete form having spaced walls comprising a strip adapted to extend through and between said walls and having spaced openings therethrough, a member at the exterior of one `wall of the form for holding one end of said strip, means at the exterior at the other Wall of said form for tightening ,said strip and drawing the form to-proper position, and

l l a n means co-operating with said slots for spacing said Walls.

12. A clamp for a concrete form having .spaced walls comprising an elongated member extending between said walls, means engaging said member at the inside of said walls to space the same, a member. at the outer 4side of said form having spaced slots therein, and wedge means adapted to extend through said member and slots to tighten said elongated member and clamp said form.

13. A clamp for a concrete form having spaced walls comprising a member disposed at and engaging the outer side of said form, having spaced slots therethrough, an elongated member extending through said member and` having slots therethrough spaced a different distance apart than the slots in said first mentioned member. Wedge means adapted to pass through said member and slots therein to draw said elongated member into said first mentioned member and clamp said form and means engaging said elongated `member and disposed at the inner side of the wall of said form.

14. A form tie or clamp having in coinhination, an elongated member having spaced openings therethrough, a 'member adapted to engage the exterior of the form adapted to have one end of said member pass therethrough and having spaced openings extending transversely thereof but spaced a different distance apart than the openings in said first Vmentioned member,

4Wedges adapted to passv through the openl ings in said member to draw the elongated member into said second mentioned member, and wedges adapted to pass through the openings in said elongated member at the inside ofthe walls of the form. and means for holding the other end of said elongated member. e

HOWARD O. MCMILLAN. 

